Title: The Quest for Love

Pairing: Annabeth and Percy

Summary: Percy and Annabeth are ready to take a step forward and embrace their destinies but will they be allowed to do so?

Rating: M (for Adult themes and language)

AN: This isn't really taking The Heroes of Olympus series into account, why? I haven't read Mark of Athena yet. It should be more less compliant I suppose, at least through MOA. Please no one point out inconsistencies with Heroes of Olympus, please? Thanks. Read and Review.

Chapter 1: From this moment on…

Percy and Annabeth were walking hand in hand watching the sun set behind the trees. There walking by the Lake and neither were talking much. They were just enjoying the moment.

"I am excited about next week," Annabeth said breaking their long and comfortable silence.

"Yeah?" Percy asked.

"I am surprised your mom and Paul asked me to go," Annabeth commented.

"Why?" Percy asked feeling surprised. His mom and Annabeth got along so well it was scary. It was unnatural that his mother and his girlfriend got along so well. It was Sally Jackson's idea for Annabeth to accompany them to Montauk.

"You and your girlfriend sleeping under the same roof?" Annabeth exclaimed in faux shock.

Even thought Annabeth was joking Percy could feel a blush rise into his cheeks at her implication. Truth was Percy and Annabeth hadn't done much that his mother could complain about. There was kissing…lots of kissing…and there was touching and fondling that he was sure his mother wouldn't be wild about. However they hadn't gone that far especially considering they had been together for a while and they were both 19 years old. Not that Percy didn't want to in fact he did want to…very much. Sometimes when he looked at Annabeth all could think about is what it would be like to make love to her but he didn't want to push her. Not only that but they didn't really have any opportunities. They couldn't do much at camp. When they weren't at camp they were at Percy's mom apartment. Percy didn't see any need to be impatient there would be time for all that.

"Percy!" Annabeth said loudly as she pinched his arm.

"Ow!" Percy replied rubbing the spot she injured. "What's your damage?"

"I was talking to you and you spaced," Annabeth laughed.

"Sorry," Percy exhaled. There was something he wanted to ask Annabeth. He had intended to ask her when they were at Montauk next week. But standing here by the lake watching this beautiful sunset it felt like this was the moment. This was the place he and Annabeth fell in love. He cleared his throat and fished around in his pocket. Percy's fingers found a small velvet box.

"Are you ok?" Annabeth asked sounding concerned. She squeezed his fingers and smiled at him. "You look pale and your hand is all sweaty."

Percy chuckled and he realized how nervous he sounded. "I need to ask you something," Percy started. "It's…this is tough…"

"What?" Annabeth's voice was ripping with concern. "Are you…is everything…ok?"

Percy stopped walking. He turned and looked at his girlfriend. He was struck by how lovely she looked in this low light. Her skin was smooth and tan. Her hair was curly and just little but frizzy in this humidity. Her eyes were astonishingly grey and sparkling in the glow of the almost gone sun. "Everything is fine," he assured her. He took one of her tiny hands in his large one, "At least I think everything is ok." He pulled the dark velvet box out of his pocket and lowered himself to the ground. He balanced on one knee and opened the box. Percy avoided Annabeth's eyes as he asked," Annabeth Chase, I have loved for as long as I can remember and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you do me the honor of being my wife."

Annabeth was silent which for Annabeth was quite a feat. Tears were welling up in large gray eyes and she seemed to be trembling. She opened her mouth and then she closed it.

"Annabeth?" Percy whispered. He squeezed her hand, "Say something?"

"I don't know what to say?" Annabeth whispered. She looked at the ring in Percy's hand. "This is gorgeous. Where did you get it?'

"Umm.." Percy was having trouble putting words together. He was so sure she would say yes and now he was frightened she would say no. They were too young. This was crazy. "Paul."

"Paul?" Annabeth repeated.

Percy nodded. His legs were starting to hurt. "Paul and I went to a store and we picked it out. Paul paid for it and I am going to pay him back later. I was going to finance it but Paul said that isn't a good way to start out married life. So…he paid for it."

"Paul knows…and your mom?" Annabeth asked still looking at the ring.

Percy nodded, "Yeah, I talked to my mom and Paul a few weeks ago. They are really happy." Percy tried to reposition himself but his legs were burning a little. "Are…are you trying to figure out a way to say no or let me down gently? If so then just say it because I feel like an idiot and my legs hurt and I probably ruined our relationship."

"No," Annabeth said and then she covered her mouth when she saw Percy wince. "I don't mean no, I mean no I am not saying no."

Percy shook his head, "What?" he demanded. "What are you saying to me? Was that English?"

Annabeth giggled and then she squeezed his hand, "I am saying yes. I want to be your wife. I want it more than anything." She took pulled on Percy's hand and he stood up. He took her delicate hand and slid the ring onto her finger. "It looks perfect, huh?"

The ring was a three stone diamond ( tiny diamonds not even ¼ carat) with a white gold band and some tiny diamonds on the band. It didn't cost as much as he would have liked to pay. He wanted to give her the world. "It's not much," he admitted sheepishly.

Annabeth shook her head and lifted her hand up and stared at her finger, "I have no idea what you are talking about Percy Jackson. This ring is perfect."

Percy grinned, "So you are happy?" He confirmed. "Really and truly happy?"

Annabeth laughed, "Of course I am happy." She took Percy's hand and they started walking again.

"When did you want to get married?" Annabeth asked.

Percy shrugged, "We don't have to do it immediately we can wait," he suggested. "You have that internship coming up and I know you want to focus"

"Remind me to thank Paul for getting me that internship." She told Percy.

"You already thanked him," Percy reminded her.

"I can't thank him enough," Annabeth sighed. She looked at Percy with her eyebrows raised, "You want to wait?"

Percy shook his head, "I thought you would want to wait and take our time. You're so wise and cautious, you know. I would be willing to marry you tomorrow."

Annabeth put her head against his shoulder and made a happy sound. She was smiling from ear to ear. It made him happy to make her happy. But just minutes later Percy noticed her smile faded a little. "What's wrong?" he teased. "Change your mind already?"

Annabeth shook her head but she looked sad, "I am just scared." She told him.

"Scared of what?" Percy asked. "Being married to me? I think a lot of people would be scared of that."

Annabeth rolled her eyes, "A comedian, eh? Don't quit your day job, Jackson."

"What are you scared of?" Percy pushed her.

"I don't know," Annabeth hedged but Percy felt like she wasn't telling him something. "I guess I am worried that it isn't going to be that easy."

Percy nodded, "Life as a half blood is never easy." Percy agreed. But he hoped this time she was wrong and they would live happily ever after.